Here’s how this week’s arts and culture column begins:
To me, George Saunders is one of our best, and most brilliant, “Catholic” writers (without calling himself, or for all I know, even being a Catholic).
One of the rare literary writers who has achieved mainstream success, his stories often chart a hero’s journey undertaken by a comically conflicted, clueless, culturally indoctrinated, downtrodden, middle-America protagonist, and often culminate in a life-or-death sacrifice.
He satirizes consumer culture, mass media, Orwellian doublespeak, and the Disneyfication of the sacred.
READ THE WHOLE PIECE HERE.
Heather, George Saunders is one of my favorites! I too identified strong Catholic themes in his stories. It prompted a little research: I read he was raised Catholic. However, he and his wife converted to Buddhism. They felt that Christianity had wonderful tenants, but had little focus on how to “get there.” That is, to ultimately become Christ like. I am broadly paraphrasing, as I don’t remember the exact language. They had a great point though, as I think many of us identifying as Christian or for that matter Catholic are nominal at best. For many of the practicing faithful, simply showing up to mass is all it takes to be a good Catholic. Some seem to think it’s simply a magic that we passively receive, having followed through on some minimal requirements. I guess it’s true to a degree, but we still have to work and take up our cross. George must have been paying close attention during catechism class, because his stories so often concern loving self-sacrifice which covers many sins.
Thanks for this–yeah, I had seen that he went to Catholic school as kid, definitely undertones! Hmmm, how to “get there”? We’re there already, it seems to me. Take up your cross…and try to have a sense of humor about it…